Tablet market gearing up for stiffer competition

The impact of tablet computing is becoming impossible to ignore. Over the last two weeks alone, three of the major tech companies – Apple, Microsoft and Google – have introduced new tablet computing devices. Many experts believe the iPad is still the king of the mountain, but the Surface RT and Nexus 10 devices are becoming viable competitors.

A recent report from Strategy Analytics has Google’s operating system Android accounting for 41 percent of worldwide tablet shipments, up 12 percent from the previous year. On the other side of the coin, that same study found that of the 25 million units shipped globally in the third quarter of 2012, 57 percent of them were running iOS, which means they were iPads. However, that number is down from 64 percent at the same time last year.

“In the near term, Apple should still stay ahead,” Strategy Analytics analyst Neil Mawston told the ZDNet. “The iPad mini will give it a further [push] in Q4 and Q1. But it’s clear that the Android community is ramping up its activities quite heavily.”

Mawston continued to say that back in 2010 the market was solely the iPad but now as solid competition pulls along side the top dog, the race to become the number one device is a “three-horse race” in 2013. The next few months will be telling as all three new devices will be on shelves for the holiday and fourth quarter budget spending season. How they sell could set the tone for the new year.

Businesses are going to be seeing more tablets in the workplace through bring-your-own-device strategies. Companies in Ohio that are looking improve their tablet device options would be wise to partner with an IT consulting firm.

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